Plate-glass device.



A. ROSS. PLATE GLASS DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED .TULYSI, 1912.

Patented Oct. 14, 1913.

E Myra/z 2055 I 11, formed integrally with the plate, the glass-mass of both members being substantiallv homogeneous throughout. The par-' tic ar symbol shown in the drawin is the letter F, but as willbe understood, other letters of the alphabet, or punctuation marks, numerals, emblems or other symbols could be formed, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each portion of the raised symbol 11 is substantially lens-formed, and is provided with a plurality of convex flutes or ribs 12, arranged longitudinally of each portion of the symbol. The plate shown in the drawing has only one symbol on it and is adapted to be usedincombination with a number of 'other plates, each having other symbols thereon, for use in making up illuminated display signs, the letters of which are approximately one footin height, although, as will be obvious, a single plate of glass may be made with the several letters thereon to form a word, if

desired, thushaving a single plate for the entire sign, which is strong, durable and ii ht.

- i Nhere a smooth, convex surface only is used for the raised symbols, the light appears to an observer at a distance to be transmitted therethrough in single lines or planes, so that the observer receives the impression of a letter or other symbol having only line outlines, but b flutmg the convex surface in the manner s own and described, the convex surface or lens is subdivided into a pluralit of small, parallelly arran ed, convex suriaces or lenses, through eac of which light is transmitted to anobserver in a line or plane, thus causing the letter, numeral or other s mbol to appear solid and to have substantial width. The above described .efl'ect occurs no matter at what angle the observer looks at the illuminated sign, and not only is, this true where light is transmitted through the glass late devices, as at night, but also in the a ytime light is reflected from the letter, numeral or other "symbol to the observer in a wide shaft instead of in a single line or plane, and by having the sym bols of such relatively greatheightand in protuberantr elief, theoutlines of the letters or other "symbols easilybe distinguished even at very oblique angles to the sign and from eatdistanc'es. The plane, back. surface 0 the plate" may be sandblasted or ground, as showh in the drawing at 13, in or er'to preveritthe source of light from showingthrough the plate, and if desired'the plate' may also be provided with I an opaque coating of aint 14, bothfor decorative pur oses-and w ere desired, to entirely prevent te light from being transmitted through the plate except at the desired port-ions.

y The followingiis a suitable, and the prefen-ed; method of manufacture of the deinto and completel fill a deep recess in a' die in thickness.

vice: In my process I first'form a sheet of plate of glass preferably by placin a gatherin of glass on a platen and re uci it to p ate form in a state of what I term 0- mogeneous consistency and molecular arrangement, as by rolling or equivalent operation. In practice this is preferably done by rolling the glass while freely plastic, in the well known manner, and then while the late is on a platen,which may or may not he the platen upon which the gathering is rolled,apply pressure in a direction transverse to the plate on portions located outside of the periphery of the letter or other symbol formed on the plate, and thus decrease the thickness of the plate at the portions where the pressure is applied, and cause portions of the glass-mass to flow toward the center or part of the plate where the letter or other symbol is located, the flow of the glass-mass taking lace in paths substantially paralleling-t e surface of the plate and convergent toward the part where the letter or other symbol is formed, so that ortions of the glass mass are then for u corresponding to t e letter or other symbol. desired. During this operation the ed as of the plate may be confined as found desirable. In practice they are or may be selfconfined by the less viscosity of the sheet at or near its somewhat cooler outer edges, which impedes the outward flow of the glass and causes it to flow inward and into the recess of the die. other symbol formed into ally therewith is then allowed to chill slig tly to cause it to set sufliciently to be able to retain its shape, after which the plate glass device is annealed in the ordinary manner;

In practising my invention, I may make the plate comparativel thin and'the mbols, a formed integrally t erewith, relative y thick, and the lam ht of the letters, numerals 'or other symbo may range from about eight to eighteen inches, and may be made even higher. If desired, the number of letters, numerals or other symbols on a single plate may be increased or multiplied so as to form, for instance, a complete word, such as'the word Drugs, or any common, stock signword or a series of numerals, the size and characteristics of the finished article being limited only by the size of the rolled plate on which'the symbols are formed, which can, in actual practice, he made as large as sixty by ninety-six inches, the finished pla having a thickness of approximate y five-sixteeuths of an inch, and the solid symbols being approximately a further one-half inch I claim zstantially the form of plate glass, 1.813

The plate with the letter or 1 00 embossed on the surface thereof In protuben ant relief a symbol composed of glass flowed in various directions and various amounts from the body of and raised from and integral with the sheet, substantially as specified.

:2. A sheet of glass of homogeneous consistency and molecular arrangement in substantiall the form of plate glass, having embossed on the surface thereof in protuberant relief a letter composed of glass flowed in various directions and various amounts from the body of and raised from and integral with the sheet, and formed with substantially parallel flutes to give ap parent Width and body to the parts of the letter, substantially as specified.

3. A sheet of rolled plate glass having embossed on the surface thereof in protuberant relief a symbol composed of glass flowed in various directions from the body of and raised from and integral with the sheet, substantially as specified.

a. A sheet of rolled plate glass having embossed on the surface thereof in protuberant relief a symbol composed of tinted glass flowed and raised from the body of the rolled sheet and integral therewith, substantially as specified.

3. A sheet of rolled plate glass having a symbol in protuberant relief embossed on one surface thereof composed of glass flowed from and integral with the body of the sheet irrespective of the formation of the other surface of the sheet, substantially as specified.

6. A sheet of glass of homogeneous consistency and molecular arrangement in substantially the form of plate glass, having on the surface thereof in protuberant relief a Symbol composed of glass flowed in various horizontal and convergent directions and distances in the plane of the sheet and in various amounts from diiferent parts of the body of the sheet, and up 'from and integral with the sheet, substantially as specified.

7. As an article of manufacture, a sheet having a symbol integrally embossed there on in protuberant relief composed of successively rolled and pressed glass, substantially as specified.

In testimonyuvhereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MYRON A. ROSS.

Witnesses:

HENRY Lovn CLARKE, Josnrn HARRIS. 

